Covid-19 and the Persecuted Church

David Curry is the president and CEO of Open Doors USA, an organization devoted to serving persecuted believers around the world. They’ve worked in the world’s most oppressive and restrictive countries for Christians.

David opened the conversation by concentrating on China. He indicated that when they gave their World Watch List report of the most difficult places for people to practice their Christian faith, they focused on China because of the surveillance technology that has taken religious persecution to another level. This means that with the coronavirus threat, there is the possibility that authorities may use this as an opportunity to target churches.

In North Korea it’s very difficult to have any expression of religious faith. With the current uncertainty as to the health of leader Kim Jong Un, David believes that if there would be a transition of power, it may be an opportunity for the improving of human rights and religious freedom.

India is #10 on the World Watch List. The coronavirus has exacerbated the vulnerability of underclass citizens who are Christians. For example, many Christians there are in the lowest ‘caste’ system. This makes them the first to lose jobs and therefore they can’t support their family as they can be denied food and water.

As this broadcast moved along, Jim had David comment on the impact of the coronavirus in Italy, Spain and Syria, how Christians are being blamed for this disease by people in Africa, smaller rations for Christians in Sharia governed areas, how Open Doors is working to bring help to those who need it, how you can help and much more.